Number 13

The news of tonight's parliamentary ratification of the European Constitution has been reported around the globe by Associated Press from the Los Angeles Times to China Broadcast. Malta is the thirteenth member state to decide on the troubled Constitution. From Guardian Unlimited:

Malta's parliament unanimously ratified the European Union constitution on Wednesday, adding another 'yes' vote to the treaty whose future remains uncertain following rejections of the pact by French and Dutch voters. The vote from the tiny Mediterranean island nation - about twice the size of Washington, D.C. - came after the opposition Labour Party decided to vote in favor of the constitution. "This new chapter offers many opportunities for the Maltese people and both sides were going forward together," Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said. "Through its vote, Parliament is closing a long, controversial, divisive, chapter in its history and opening another where there is national support on European policy," he said.

Wednesday's vote came after a series of setbacks for the EU, including the French and Dutch rejection of the constitution and the collapse of budget talks at the EU summit in June. Since then, debate has intensified within all 25 European Union nations over conflicting desires for strong social benefits - led by France - and tough economic reforms - led by Britain. All 25 nations must ratify the charter for it to take effect, and - with the addition of Malta - 12 have already done so. Some other nations, including Britain, have put the ratifications on hold while the EU decides how to proceed.

Some in Malta had debated in the media why Malta should bother voting on the constitution when its future was in such doubt. But others reasoned that the French and Dutch rejections were more about disaffection for their own governments than any opposition to the EU pact. With just under 400,000 residents, Malta is the least populous of the 25 EU nations. It entered the bloc on May 1, 2004, one of 10 new members.

To ratify or not to ratify and Exploring Referendum results - from Wired Temples